FAYETTEVILLE – Danielle Gibson scored twice and tied the score in the sixth inning, leaving University of Arkansas fans standing on Saturday. But it was his solo explosion over the left field wall at the end of the eighth inning that sent Bogle Park’s believer home with a smile after an exciting turnaround 3-2 win over Ole Miss.
“I felt good all day, and I figured she was going to hit the outer corner,” said Gibson of his final blow. “So I kind of sat down, it was there, and I went ahead.”
Razorbacks’ number 17 (22-3, 5-0) remains undefeated at the top of the SEC. It is the first 5-0 conference match for Arkansas since 2009.
“This team has a ton of fighting inside them and they really don’t falter in the face of anything they face,” said Arkansas coach Courtney Deifel. “We always feel that if we are still eliminated, we have a chance. I have so much confidence in this team and in this attack – and my confidence is matched by what they have in themselves.”
Senior Autumn Storms, who has been battling a back injury this season, was in the Arkansas circle for the first time since throwing 3/21 entries against Kansas on March 5.
The senior pitcher had to get out of trouble in the first inning after Ole Miss took advantage of an Arkansas field error to load the bases. Storms caused Autumn Gillespie to attack to end the threat.
The Rebels broke the goalless draw with a couple of runs in the third round. Paige Smith reached the scoreboard with two qualifiers, followed by a home run from Abbey Latham to make it 2-0.
“I thought Stormy was excellent today, and it was great to have her back on the hill,” said Deifel. “She really missed just one shot today and Latham took advantage of that.”
Storms launched 122 shots in 61/3 innings, allowing only five strokes and eliminating three.
Ole Miss (18-9, 3-2) countered with junior pitcher Savannah Diederich, who managed to temporarily cool Razorback’s bats after a 5-1 win in Arkansas on Friday.
Diederich kept Arkansas under control with just two hits in five innings. But problems began to form for the rebels at the end of Friday. McEwen ended seven hitting shots with a home run over the center wall of the field. After Braxton Burnside was hit by a pitch, Gibson punched a double inside the first base line to score Burnside and tie 2-2.
“We came out a little slow today, but we have the confidence, from one to nine, to do that,” said Gibson. “We have never considered ourselves out of a fight, and that is the best thing about this team. We will keep scratching and scratching, no matter what happens.”
Mikayla Allee led Ole Miss in seventh with a single and advanced to second when Aynslie Furbush was hit by a pitch. Storms caused Tate Whitley to give up, but the Rebels followed in second and third with an eliminated.
Deifel chose to bring Mary Haff, who went on to eliminate the next two Rebel hitters to close the entry.
Haff (14-2, 0.85 ERA), who eliminated four of the six hits he faced, continues to lead the country in victories. She has 109 eliminations out of 96 entries this season.
After Burnside started the Razorback in eighth with a flight to the center, Gibson punched Dierderich’s 124th shot of the game just above the outstretched arms of left defender Jessica Puk to the winner of the game. It was Gibson’s third home run of the season.
“Gibby is a very strong player,” said Deifel. “We saw it over and over again, and she loves being in that moment.”
Arkansas and Ole Miss will play the final game in the series at 1 pm today at Bogle Park.
SEC Classification
CONF. ALL
Arkansas …………….. 5-0 22-3
Texas A&M ………………… 1-0 20-3
Alabama ……………………. 4-1 23-2
Florida ………………………. 4-1 20-2
Ole Miss ……………………. 3-2 18-9
LSU ………………………….. 2-2 16-8
Georgia ……………………… 1-1 20-3
Missouri ……………………. 1-1 20-5
Tennessee …………………. 2-3 21-4
Kentucky …………………… 1-2 23-2
South Carolina …………… 0-3 17-6
Auburn ……………………… 0-3 16-6
Mississippi State ………… 0-5 15-10
SATURDAY GAMES
(8) Arkansas 3, Ole Miss 2
South Carolina 9-4, Cent. Florida 1-2
Kentucky 3-3, Dayton 1-1
Kennesaw State 2, Auburn 0
Alabama 7, Tennessee 1
Florida 10, State of Mississippi 0
Florida State 10, Auburn 1
Georgia 14, Missouri 10
TODAY’S GAMES
All central times
Florida in the state of Mississippi, 11am
Missouri in Georgia, 11:30 am
Cent. Florida in South Carolina, noon
Ole Miss at (8) Arkansas, 1 pm
Tennessee in Alabama, 1pm
Florida State at Auburn, 1pm
Kennesaw State in Auburn, 16h
Texas A&M at LSU, 5 pm